Board & Team

With over a decade of experience with organizations supporting business families as well as growing and solidifying their networks, Olivier de Richoufftz is well seasoned in the important issues business families face from generation to generation. An MBA from HEC Paris, paired with his extensive experience in marketing, sales and development for organizations such as Euro Disney Resort and the France Tourism, bring strategic perspective and innovation to Family Enterprise Foundation.

An extensive background in International Development and Development studies allows Thomas to have in-depth insight and understanding of the education and management process of content-related projects. His many travels around the world have enhanced his cultural sensibility and been applied in his work with organizations such as the Institute of Social Studies and even in his current philanthropic contributions in working with Hockey Helps the Homeless in Montreal.

Ken Tencer is CEO of Spyder Works Inc. Ken helps organizations to get their ideas off of the back of the napkin and successfully into the market. A business innovator and best-selling author who helps organizations master better futures, Ken is co-developer of The 90% Rule®, a success-tested innovation process that enables businesses of all sizes to identify, filter, and implement growth opportunities.

Ali is an emerging markets geo-economic and strategy connoisseur. His core professional muscles have been developed and strengthened by helping blue-chip companies, MNCs (multi-nationals) and family businesses in some of the most challenging markets. Helping clients to formulate route to and market entry models, growth acceleration strategies and also supporting them to successfully execute these strategies on the ground. One of his unique abilities is in translating complex issues to simple scenarios. His peers and mentors consider him a natural storyteller with a strategic foresight that has lead to successful partnership and strategic alliances.

He is the Managing Director of 3Sixty Strategic Advisors Ltd., a boutique strategic consulting and investment firm focused on the emerging markets of Middle East, Africa and Eurasia.

Margaret-Jean Mannix is currently Chairman of Viridian Family Office, a family office located in Calgary, Alberta. She is engaged in various levels of governance roles within her family enterprise, including Chairman of the family foundation and board member of the holding company for their operating entities. Ms. Mannix has been involved in the field of family enterprise for 25 years, having served on the board of a number of Family Business Center Advisory boards at universities in Canada and the US, in addition to serving on the board of Family Enterprise Canada since December of 2011, currently serving as Chair of the Family Enterprise Foundation. She is the past Chair of Institute of Family Enterprise Advisors (IFEA), joined the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFÉ) Board in 2011 and has been a member of Family Business Network (FBN) since 1999. Ms. Mannix is one of the founding Board members of the Family Enterprise Canada. She and her family live in Calgary, AB.

Jordan is an investment analyst and a member of the CBGF investment team. He is responsible for carrying out research, analyzing new investment opportunities and monitoring portfolio investments.

Prior to joining CBGF full-time in 2020, Jordan spent his most recent summer as an intern at the firm. He previously completed internships at the Bank of Montreal (BMO) and Isaac Operations. He enjoys hockey, flag football, behavioural psychology and cooking.

Jordan holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) in Applied Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University.

Ambreen Bhaloo is 2nd generation of an enterprising family and understands first-hand the complex and competing demands of family, business/management and ownership. She has held leadership positions within the operating businesses, stepped away to raise her family and as an intrapreneur has founded her own coaching business and family business advisory practice.

Her focus is on supporting business families through complex human dynamics and preparing the next generation for leadership and stewardship of wealth. She is actively involved on her family’s Board and outside of her work has served in various capacities giving back within the Ismaili Community.

She lives in Toronto with her three children. Ambreen holds an honors’ degree from Western University and a Master in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a Certified Co-Active Professional Coach (CPCC) and a Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA).

Jordie is a social impact strategist and educator with over 15 years of experience in human-centred design, systems thinking, and innovation within both the education and nonprofit sectors. He has led and supported initiatives that build community capacity, particularly in youth arts, Indigenous programs and housing insecurity. As Chair of the Giving Committee for the James A. Burton Family Foundation, Jordie brings a deep commitment to equity and collaboration. His background as a director, facilitator, and former classroom teacher informs his ability to design and deliver impactful programs, workshops and strategy sessions. Jordie is passionate about helping organizations tell their stories, strengthen their systems and scale their impact.

Sach Chandaria is a 5th generation member of a large family that has interests in a diverse group of businesses across base materials processing and manufacturing, media, technology and electronics. The family began from modest origins in East Africa almost a hundred years ago.
Sach and his family’s core focus is on nurturing entrepreneurial talent in sectors with global dynamic growth potential. A core part of their philosophy is also to reinvest the majority of wealth created through these activities into philanthropic objectives.

Sach was born in Kenya and grew up mostly in North America. He is currently based in Geneva, Switzerland prior to which he spent time in Singapore, Shanghai and Nairobi. He completed his Masters in Business Administration at the Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA and has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.

Aaron started working at Bakers Delight (Australian parent business) while still in high school, learning how to bake and sell bread. After holding managerial roles in various bakeries, he became an Area Manager for a group of corporately owned stores in Melbourne. At age 24, Aaron was part of the team to go to Canada and set up Bakers Delight under the name of COBS Bread. In 2009, the President of COBS Bread returned to Australia and was replaced by four Vice Presidents, of which Aaron was one, holding the title of VP of Product Development & Operations.

In March 2014, Aaron was appointed the President of COBS Bread and since that time has seen the development of existing stores and addition of new locations, with average sales and profits now higher than Bakers Delight in Australia. COBS Bread opens its 130th location this fall of 2020, with plans to reach 250 bakeries over the next five years.

Aaron is a fifth generation baker. Running bakeries has been in his family since the late 1800s. Aaron sits on the board of directors for Bakers Delight Holdings that oversees Bakers Delight and COBS Bread and its operations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA.

Patricia Saputo is Chief Financial Officer of Placements Italcan Inc. In her role, Patricia manages her immediate family’s “Family Office". Her specialization is in the domain of investment holding companies, personal and corporate tax, and Estate/Succession planning which includes investment planning, will planning and life insurance planning. She is developing expertise in the area of managing wealth as it is distributed to future generations so they become responsible stewards of their own wealth.

John is a third-generation member of the Burnbrae Farms family business, one of Canada’s leading egg farmers. John worked in various positions in the consumer-packaged goods industry in both commercial strategy and account management.

In 2019, John took the role of National Account Manager at the family business. John is also part of the Hudson Family Council, where he leads three sub-committees. He has a Bachelor of Arts and obtained various training certificates in sales, data analysis and finance. John lives with his family in Brockville, ON.

With over a decade of experience with organizations supporting business families as well as growing and solidifying their networks, Olivier de Richoufftz is well seasoned in the important issues business families face from generation to generation. An MBA from HEC Paris, paired with his extensive experience in marketing, sales and development for organizations such as Euro Disney Resort and the France Tourism, bring strategic perspective and innovation to Family Enterprise Foundation.